Dispenser feeder with removable rain guard extension

ABSTRACT

A self-dispensing feeder having a hopper, a feed trough arranged to receive feed from the hopper, and a rain guard. The feeder includes a movable rain guard extension that shields the feed trough from directional rain. The feeder also includes a shielding, overlapping seam arrangement that sheds rain run-off.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to methods and devices for providingfeed to animals. More particularly, this disclosure relates to aself-dispensing feeder, and associated methods of assembling,manufacturing and using a self-dispensing feeder.

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of arrangements have been utilized for feeding animals ina self-dispensing manner. FIG. 1 illustrates one conventional feeder 10that is self-dispensing. The feeder 10 includes a hopper 12 and a feedtrough 14. The hopper 12 is arranged in relation to the trough 14 suchthat feed stored within the hopper 12 is self-dispensed, or gravity fed,into the trough 14. A rain guard 16 extends over the feed trough 14. Therain guard 16 is supported by gussets 18.

While the rain guard of such conventional feeder arrangements protectsthe feed within the trough 14 from a downward rain, conventional rainguards do not protect the feed from directional rain, i.e., rain blownor driven sideward by wind. In conventional arrangements, such as theone shown in FIG. 1, wind can easily blow rain into the feed troughcausing feed spoilage and contamination. Further, conventional feederarrangements typically have seams or joints located between the variousfeeder components, which are not rain or waterproof. Rain run-off canoften seep through the seams and into the hopper or trough also causingfeed spoilage and contamination.

In addition, the conventional rain guard arrangements typically have asomewhat flimsy construction that requires structural supports, such asthe gussets 18 shown in FIG. 1. Feeding animals or birds sometimes gettheir heads caught within such structural rain guard supports, oftenresulting in injury to the animal or bird and damage to the feeder.

In general, improvement has been sought with respect to such feeders,generally to better accommodate: an improved rain protection design,ease of manufacture and assembly, ease of use and maintenance, andimproved animal and bird safety.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a feeder arrangement and associatedmethods of making and using a feeder arrangement. The feeder arrangementgenerally includes a hopper, a feed trough arranged to received feedfrom the hopper, and a rain guard. In one aspect, the feeder arrangementincludes a moveable rain guard extension. The moveable rain guardextension is positionable about a perimeter of the rain guard andshields the feed trough from directional rain. In another aspect, thefeeder arrangement includes a lid. The hopper, lid, and rain guard havea shielding, overlapping seam arrangement that sheds water.

A variety of examples of desirable product features or methods are setforth in part in the description that follows, and in part will beapparent from the description, or may be learned by practicing variousaspects of the disclosure. The aspects of the disclosure may relate toindividual features as well as combinations of features. It is to beunderstood that both the foregoing general description and the followingdetailed description are explanatory only, and are not restrictive ofthe claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art self-dispensing feeder;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a self-dispensingfeeder having a rain guard and a rain guard extension shown in ashielding position, in accordance with the principles of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the feeder of FIG. 2, shown with therain guard extension in a maintenance position;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the feeder of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the feeder of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various features of the presentdisclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate a self-dispensing feeder 20 having features thatare examples of how inventive aspects in accordance with the principlesof the present disclosure may be practiced. Preferred features areadapted for safely feeding animals, including domesticated animals suchas sheep and goats, for example; wild animals such as deer, for example;and domesticated and wild birds, such as chickens and pheasants, forexample. Preferred features are also adapted for ease of use and ease offeeder maintenance, and for maintaining feed quality.

Referring to FIG. 2, the feeder 20 of the present disclosure generallyincludes a hopper 22, a feed trough 24, and a rain guard 26. The feedtrough 24 is arranged in relation to the hopper 22 to receive feedthrough a bottom opening 28 (FIG. 5) in the hopper 22. In particular,the feed trough 24 and the hopper 22 are positioned relative to oneanother to provide an opening 74 (see also FIG. 5) between the hopper 22and feed trough 24 through which feed is dispensed.

Preferably, the opening 74 is adjustable so that a user can selectivelydetermine the dispense rate of feed. In the illustrated embodiment, thefeed trough 24 and the hopper 22 are positionable in a number ofpositions relative to one another by brackets 72. The brackets 72 can beused to adjust the position of the hopper 22 relative to the feed trough24 to vary the size of the opening 74, and thereby vary and control thedispense rate of feed. In the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 3,the brackets 72 include a number of holes 76 for receipt of fasteners(not shown) that secure the feed trough 24 and the hopper 22 in theselected relative position.

Referring to FIG. 3, the feed trough 24 has an outer perimeter P1. Therain guard 26 has a perimeter P2. The perimeter P2 of the rain guard 26is sized to extend beyond the outer perimeter P1 of the feed trough 24(see also FIG. 5). In the illustrated embodiment, the outer perimeter P1of the feed trough 24 has a general width W1 of between 30 inches and 50inches; typically about 40 inches. The perimeter P2 of the rain guard 26has a general width W2 of between 36 inches and 56 inches; typicallyabout 46 inches. In the example embodiment, the rain guard 26 providesabout a 3-inch overhang to protect the feed trough 24 from downwardrain.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the feeder 20 has an overall height H1 and anoverall width W3; although the disclosed principles can be applied in avariety of sizes and applications. The overall height H1 of the feeder20 is defined between the bottom of the feed trough 24 and the top of alid 38 of the feeder 20. The overall height H1 is preferably between 24inches and 74 inches. In one embodiment, the overall height isapproximately 60 inches. In another embodiment, the overall height H1 isapproximately 39 inches. The overall width W3 of the feeder 20 ispreferably between 20 inches and 30 inches; typically about 26 inches.The combined width W3 and height H1 of the disclosed example feederconfigurations results in a feeder embodiment having an 800-lb feedcapacity, and a feeder embodiment having a 400-lb feed capacity.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the rain guard 26 of the disclosed feeder 20preferably has a rigid construction that resists deflection andeliminates the need for gussets or other structural supports (such asthe gussets 18 shown in FIG. 1). In the illustrated embodiment, therigid construction of the rain guard 26 is provided by the polygonalshape of the rain guard 26. The polygonal shape provides a truss-likeconstruction that is relatively rigid in comparison to simple conicalrain guards, for example. The rain guard 26 shown in FIG. 2 is octagonalin shape; although other polygonal shapes, such as square, retangular,and pentagonal shapes can be used.

The rigid construction of the octagonal rain guard 26 isself-supporting. Conventional conical-shaped rain guards are typicallynon-self-supporting and flimsy. Because the present rain guard 26 isself-supporting, the disclosed feeder 20 provides an obstruction-freefeeding region 36. What is meant by obstruction-free is that the feeder20 does not have gussets (e.g. 18, FIG. 1) or other supports within thefeeding region 36 (see also FIG. 5) defined between the feed trough 24and the rain guard 26. The gussets and supports of conventional rainguards block access to the feed trough and create the potential for ananimal to catch its head within the feeder. The obstruction-free region36 also makes cleaning and maintenance of the feeder trough 24 mucheasier for the user.

Referring still to FIG. 2, the feeder 20 of the present disclosurefurther includes a rain guard extension 30. The extension 30 ispositioned about the perimeter P2 (FIG. 5) of the rain guard 26.Preferably, the rain guard extension 30 has a shape corresponding to theshape of the perimeter P2 of the rain guard 26. Accordingly, in theillustrated embodiment, the extension 30 is octagonal in shape.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the extension 30 includes a flange portion32 interconnected to a shield portion 34. The flange portion 32 restsupon the perimeter P2 of the of the rain guard 26 during use. Theextension 30 is preferably supported only by the rain guard 26 toaccommodate the obstruction-free feeding region 36 feature of thepresent feeder 20 (FIG. 5). The shield portion 34 depends downwardlyfrom the perimeter P2 of the rain guard 26 (i.e., from the flangeportion 32 at the perimeter P2 of the rain guard) to guard the feedtrough 24 from directional rain. In the illustrated embodiment, theshield portion 34 depends vertically downward in relation to theperimeter P2 of the rain guard 26. In an alternative embodiment, theshield portion can angle or flare outward in a downwardly direction.

As shown in FIG. 5, the shield portion 34 extends downwardly from theperimeter P2 of the rain guard 26 a distance D1. Preferably, thedistance is between about 2 inches and 8 inches. In the illustratedembodiment, the distance D1 is about 5 inches. A corresponding gap Gprovided between the feed trough 24 and the shield portion 34 of theextension 30 is between about 1 inch and 9 inches. In one embodiment,the gap G is adjustable to accommodate various uses and configurationsof the feeder 20. The gap G can be adjusted by providing an extension 30with an adjustable shield portion (not shown). In the alternative, thegap G can be adjusted by providing an arrangement whereby the overallposition of the extension 30 is adjustable in relation to the rain guard24 or adjustable in relation to the feed trough 24.

In one embodiment, the rain guard extension 30 can includes dimples ordetents 78 (shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 2 and 5). The detents 78 canbe provided in rain guard extensions manufactured from lighter-weightmaterials. The detents 78 of the extension 30 function to snap-fit to orengage with the perimeter P2 of the rain guard 26 to ensure that theextension remains securely in place in strong winds.

Preferably the rain guard extension 30 is moveable between a shieldingposition (shown in FIG. 2) and a maintenance position (shown in FIG. 3).In the illustrated embodiment, the moveable rain guard extension 30 isremovable. That is, the extension 30 can be removed from the rain guard26 and the feeder 20. In the alternative, the extension 30 can beinterconnected to the rain guard 26 but moveable between the shieldingposition and the maintenance position, such as by a segmented hingeconnection, for example.

In the shielding position, as shown in FIG. 2, the rain guard extension30 guards against rain driven by wind. During windy rains, rain can beblown into conventional feed trough arrangements causing feedcontamination and spoilage. The extension 30 of the present disclosureprevents directional rain from entering the feed trough 24. Yet in theshielding position, access to the feed trough for cleaning ormaintenance purposes is also more difficult. Although, the rain guard 26can be permanently fixed in position, it is preferred that the extension30 is movable from the shielding position to the maintenance position.

In the maintenance position, as shown in FIG. 3, the extension 30provides better access to the feed trough 24 for maintenance or cleaningpurposes. That is, the access provided to the feed trough 24 is greaterthan the feeding access provided when the extension 30 is positionedabout the perimeter P2 of the rain guard 26. The greater access isneeded to reach areas of the feed trough 24 for maintenance or cleaningpurposes, which areas would otherwise not be reached if the extension 30were permanently fixed to the rain guard 26.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the lid 38 of the feeder 20 is positionable tocover a top opening 42 (FIG. 4) of the hopper 22. In the illustratedembodiment, the lid 38 includes a handle 40 for removing the lid 38 toaccess and/or fill the hopper 22. The feeder 20 can include a lid lockor other securing device (not shown) to prevent the lid 38 from blowingoff the feeder 20 in the wind.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the feeder 20 can also include a riser 46 (FIG.4). The riser 46 is positioned beneath the feed trough 24 to raise thefeed trough 24 for feeding animals that have difficultly feeding fromthe ground. For example, in one method of use, the feed trough 24 of thefeeder 20 rests upon the ground for feeding pheasant or chickens. Yet inthe alternative, the riser 46 can be provided to raise the feeder 20from the ground for feeding sheep or goats. In the illustratedembodiment of FIG. 4, skids 48 (only one shown) are attached to theriser 46. The skids 48 can be used for transportation of the feeder 20.As can be understood, the riser 46 and skids 48 can be sized to raisethe feeder 20 a variety of distances from the ground. The riser 46 andskids 48 are sized and constructed to raise the feeder a distance fromthe ground, depending upon the use of the feeder. For sheep, forexample, the riser 46 and skids 48 are sized to raise the feedertypically about 8 to 10 inches from the ground; although the disclosedprinciples can be applied in a variety of sizes and applications.

The skids 48 can also be used in applications requiring additionalfeeder stabilization. The skids 48 typically have a length that isgreater than the width of the feeder trough 24. Accordingly, the skidsfunction to stabilize feeders having taller hopper constructions, forexample. In addition, the skids 48 can be of varying heights to adaptthe feeder for use on an incline or uneven ground surfaces.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the feeder 20 of the present disclosurepreferably has a shielding, overlapping seam arrangement 50 that shedswater or rain. What is meant by a shielding, overlapping seamarrangement is an arrangement having seams that overlap like shingles ona roof so that rain runs over the seams without chance of seeping orrunning into the seam. The shielding, overlapping seam arrangement 50provides a sealed hopper enclosure that maintains feed quality, withoutwelding or the use of sealants and/or adhesives.

The shielding, overlapping seam arrangement 50 of the present disclosureincludes a first overlapping seam 52 and a second overlapping seam 54.The first overlapping seam 52 is located between the lid 38 and thehopper 22. The second overlapping seam 54 is located between the hopper22 and the rain guard 26.

The hopper 22 of the presently disclosed feeder 20 includes an upperhopper portion 56 and a lower hopper portion 58. The upper hopperportion 56 defines the top opening 42 of the feeder 20, and the lowerhopper portion 58 defines the bottom opening 28 of the feeder 20. In yetanother embodiment, the feeder 20 can include an optional third hopperportion (not shown) that permits a user to increase hopper capacity ifdesired. A number of additional hopper portions that expand feedercapacity and that interconnect in an overlapping manner in accordancewith the principles disclosed can be provided.

Referring still to FIGS. 4 and 5, the upper hopper portion 56 has aninner hopper edge 60 and an outer hopper edge 62. The inner hopper edge60 of the upper hopper portion 56 defines the top opening 42 of thehopper 22. The lid 38 has an outer lid edge 64. The outer lid edge 64 ofthe lid 38 overlaps the inner hopper edge 60 of the upper hopper portion56. The overlapping outer lid edge 64 and inner hopper edge 60 definethe first overlapping seam 52 of the shielding, overlapping seamarrangement 50.

The rain guard 26 also includes an inner rain guard edge 66. The outerhopper edge 62 of the upper hopper portion 56 overlaps the inner rainguard edge 66 of the rain guard 26. The overlapping outer hopper edge 62and the inner rain guard edge 66 define the second overlapping seam 54.The lower hopper portion 58 also has an inner hopper edge 68. The outerhopper edge 62 of the upper hopper portion 56 also overlaps the innerhopper edge 68 of the lower hopper portion 58, and further defines thesecond overlapping seam 54. It is noted that while the rain may rununder the extension 30, the rain guard 26 still extends beyond theperimeter P1 of the feed trough 24 so that any such rain runs down therain guard 26 and the inside of the shield portion 34 of the extension30, and onto the ground, as opposed to into the feed trough 24.

As previously described, the rain guard 26 of the present feeder 20 ispreferably supported without the use of gussets or other structuralsupports that would compromise the feature of the obstruction-freefeeding region 36. In the illustrated embodiment, the rain guard 26 issupported only at the second overlapping seam 54 of the feeder 20. Inparticular, the edge 66 of the rain guard 26 is supported by the edge 68of the lower hopper portion 58 and retained between the upper and lowerhopper portions 56, 58. Because of the previously described rigidconstruction of the rain guard 26, no additional support or gussets arerequired so that the feeding region 36 is free of obstructions.Preferably, the obstruction-free feeding region 36 of the illustratedfeeder 20 extends around the entire outer perimeter P1 of the feedtrough 24.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, in use, the hopper 22 of the feeder 20is filled by removing the lid 38 from the upper portion 56 of the hopper22. The handle 40 of the lid 38 can be used to hang the lid 38 on thehopper 22, for example, on a lid lock (not shown) provided to secure thelid 38 to the hopper 22. This permits the user to fill the hopper 22without having to place the lid 38 on the ground and risk contaminatingthe feed with dirt that may be carried by the lid 38 when the lid isplaced back over the top opening 42 of the hopper 22.

When the hopper 22 is filled with a desired amount of feed, the lid 38is placed on the hopper 22 to protect the feed from rain or water. Thefeed is gravity-fed and self-dispensed into the feed trough 24 throughthe bottom opening 28 of the hopper 22. In conventional arrangements, tomaintain the feed level in a hopper, the user is required to remove acover to view the level of feed, or wait until the feed trough is empty.Preferably, the amount of feed contained within the hopper 22 of thepresent feeder 20 can be monitored by viewing the level of feed 70(represented by dashed line in FIG. 2) through the hopper 22. That is,the hopper 22 is preferably made of a material that visually shows thelevel of feed 70 contained within the hopper 22, without having toremove the lid 38 from the hopper 22. In one embodiment, the hopper 22is made of semi-transparent material, such as polyethylene, for example.Other types of materials in accordance with the principles disclosed canbe used.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the lid 38, the hopper 22, therain guard 26, and the feed trough 24 is made of a molded construction.By molding the components of the feeder 20, tightly-fitting dimensionsthat compliment the shielding, overlapping seam arrangement 50 of thefeeder (such as the diameters of the edges 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 of thecomponents) can be easily and cost-effectively provided. Each of thecomponents can be made of a similar material, such as polyethylene, ormade of different materials. Other types of construction and materialsin accordance with the principles disclosed can be used.

Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 3, the rain guard extension 30 of thefeeder 20 is positioned about the rain guard 26 to shield the dispensedfeed within the trough 24 from directional rain. To maintenance the feedtrough 24 or feeder 20, the rain guard extension 30 can be moved orlifted from the rain guard 26 to access the feed trough 24.

In one method, the extension 30 is completely removed from the feeder20. In another method, the extension 30 is lifted from the rain guard26, rotated, and placed such that the extension 30 rests upon the rainguard 26, as shown in FIG. 3. The rain guard extension 30 simply restsupon the rain guard 26 in the maintenance position without sliding downdue to the non-conical or octagonal shape of the extension 30 and therain guard 26.

By removing or moving the extension 30 to the maintenance position, thefeed trough 24 is exposed for cleaning or other maintenance. Whenmaintenance is complete, the extension 30 can be re-positioned about theperimeter P2 of the rain guard 26 to again shield the dispensed feedwithin the trough 24 from directional rain.

The above specification provides a complete description of the presentinvention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention, certain aspects ofthe invention reside in the claims hereinafter appended.

1. A self-dispensing feeder, comprising: a) a hopper; b) a feed trougharranged to receive feed from the hopper; c) a rain guard having aperimeter that extends beyond an outer perimeter of the feed trough; d)a movable rain guard extension positioned about the perimeter of therain guard, the rain guard extension having a shield that dependsdownward from the perimeter of the rain guard to guard againstdirectional rain.
 2. The feeder of claim 1, wherein the rain guardextension includes a flange that rests upon the perimeter of the rainguard during use.
 3. The feeder of claim 2, wherein the movable rainguard extension is positionable in a first position that shields thefeed trough from directional rain, and a second position that providesaccess to the feed trough for maintenance purposes.
 4. The feeder ofclaim 2, wherein the rain guard extension is supported only by the rainguard to provide an obstruction-free feeding region.
 5. The feeder ofclaim 4, wherein the obstruction-free feeding region extends around theentire outer perimeter of the feed trough.
 6. The feeder of claim 1,wherein the hopper is made of a material that visually shows the levelof feed contained within the hopper.
 7. The feeder of claim 1, whereinthe rain guard has a rigid construction that resists deflection andeliminates the need for support gussets.
 8. The feeder of claim 1,wherein the perimeter of the rain guard is octagonal in shape.
 9. Thefeeder of claim 1, further including a lid that covers a top opening ofthe hopper, the lid, hopper, and rain guard having a shielding,overlapping seam arrangement that sheds water. 10-16. (canceled)
 17. Amethod of using a feeder, the feeder including a hopper, a trough, and arain guard, the method of using including: a) removing a lid from thehopper; b) filling the hopper with an amount of feed; and c) positioninga rain guard extension about the rain guard of the feeder, the rainguard extension including a portion that depends downward from aperimeter of the rain guard to shield the trough from directional rain.18. The method of claim 17, further including moving the rain guardextension from the position that shields the trough from directionalrain to a position that provides access to the trough.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, further including maintaining the feeder and re-positioningthe rain guard extension about the rain guard of the feeder to shieldthe trough from directional rain.
 20. The method of claim 17, furtherincluding monitoring the amount of feed contained within the hopper byviewing the feed through hopper without removing the lid from thehopper.